Adhesive applying means



Jan. z, 1951 JQM. BROWN ADHESIVE APPLYING MEANS Filed April 21, 1947 FIG. 2.

|NvENToR JOHN M BROWN ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 2, 1951 UNITED #STATES lPATENT OFFICE ADHESIVE APPLYING MEANS John M. Brown, Lynwood, Calif. Application April 21, 1947, Serial No. 742,794

-. 7 Claims.

This invention relates to liquid adhesive applying means and in particular to means for applyf ing adhesive to labelsand the like.

One object of the invention is to provide an adhesive applying means of simple construction whereby a selected pattern of adhesive may be applied to a label. Another object is to provide an adhesive applicator in a labeling machine which will be immediately serviceable after an interruption of vuse. A further object is to provide an adhesive applicator which requires no cleanup after use.' A still further object is to provide an adhesive applicator whose applying surface is stationary during use, and may be readily changed for another grid of any desired pattern. Another object is to provide an adhesive applicator which may be used without change for labels of varying sizes and shapes.

These and other objects are attained by my invention which will bev understood from the following description and the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of `a preferred form of my adhesive applicator;

- Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same;

Fig, 3 is an isometric fragmentary view showing the arrangement of grids andl drainage spaces;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View in section showing an alternative form of the grid applicator,

Referring to the drawings, my-adhesive applicator in its preferred form consists of a tank II having a somewhat elevated grid-containing portion I2 and a liquid level oscillating means I3 operatively connected to a portion of the tank adjacent thereto.v Thetank is provided with a cover -I I except in the portion occupied by the grid I5. The grid I5 consists of a series of spaced apart bars I E placed on edge, with spacers II holding the grids apart, bolts I8 being pro'- vided to hold the bars and spacers rigidly together. Supporting legs I9 are also provided and these may be conveniently attached by the same long bolts I8. The legs Ilare adapted to hold the grid structure in a level position above the ybottom of the tank with the top surfaces or edges mounted on the walls of the tank by the screws 2 I.

The liquid level oscillating means I3 in the lform shown consists of a cylinder 22 having a piston'head 23' on a piston rod 24, the piston rod extending upwardly through the cylinder I head 25 and also extending on the other side of the piston head 23 for a short distance to serve as a stop means 26 operatingagainst the bottom of the tank I I and limiting the downward stroke of the piston. A coil spring 2l is provided around the piston rod 24 abutting the piston head nut ZB at one end and the cylinder head 25 at the other, the spring urging the piston head to its lowestposition. The piston rod 24 is provided at the end outside the cylinder with a connectiing means 29 for an operating lever to operate the piston.

The liquid adhesive is put into the tank so that when the piston is in its down position, the level ofthe adhesive liquid is above the top surface A of the grid bars I6. The piston may be operated at any selectedfelevation in the cylinder, provided of course that sufficient liquid adhesive is supplied to ll the tank and the required portion of the cylinder. When the piston is raised, the level of the liquid is drawn below the top edges of the bars' to the position B, Aby oscillating the piston up and down. The liquid level is thus oscillated to a position first above and then belowthe top edges of the bars I6. A layer of liquid adhesive is left on the top surifa'ces of the bars when the main body of Athe liquid is withdrawn. During this portion of the cycle, the label is automatically placed on the grids and removed immediately carrying with it a pattern of adhesive bands corresponding to the pattern of the grid. The label is then transl ferred toI the container to which it is to be applied. The layer of the adhesive on the topsurfaces of the grids is then renewed by the raising of the liquid level over the grids by the down- Ward movement'of the piston head 23 in the cylinder 22. S

The pattern of the grid structure may be arranged as desired to t the particular labels which are to be applied, or the bars may have varied thickness and spacing to effect transfer of greater or lesser amounts of adhesive. The grid pattern is, of course, made at least co# extensive with the labels and may be larger than the actual size of the label. For this reason. labels other than rectangular in shape may be handled. The top surfaces of the grids are constantly washed by the oscillating liquid adhesive so that it is unnecessary to have a grid structure exactly iitting the labels since only a. single layer of glue remains on the grids after they have been submerged by the rising liquid level. The grid structure is easily changed when desired by merely removing the screws 2l hold-v ing the frame 20 in place, and replacing the grid by one of the desired grid patterns.

In using my new applicator, it may be desirable to use a label picker iwhich holds the label in a level position over its entire surface. To attain this end, I prefer to use a label picker 30 consisting of a block 3l having a plurality of oriiices 32 on its face, these orices being connected by manifolds 33 to a connecting tube 34 which in turn is connected by a flexible hose 35 to a source of suction or reduced air pressure (not shown).

The label L, during the operation of transferring to and from the applicator, is held against the block 3l by the suction applied through. the orice 32 distributed over the area of the label. The picker lever arm lil mechanically moves the picker 30 in synchronism with the. raising. and. lowering of the liquid level in the adhesive applicator tank, so that the label is placed on, and removed from the grid during the interval that the adhesive level is. below the. tops. of; the grid ber.

Inl the mod ication shown in Fig. 4a the grids LSA, are` arranged with a concave top surface so that a label picker 30A having a single. suction cup 3 6 may be used lor picking up the labels,v the ,Outside margin serving to press the. label into the concave grid pattern HAv so thatv the adhesive is applied as an interrupted pattern over the entire surface of the label.

The advantages of my invention will be apparent.l The applicator is simple in construction and therev are no moving parts to the grid applicater itself. It is readily used., with completely automatic labeling machines by suitable meohan- -oal lever connections to operate the piston in the. cylinder to oscillate the liquid., and to operate the picker lever 4Q.. No cleanup of the adhesive container or the applicator grids. is required when the operation of the machine is. interrupted. either for overnight shutdowns. or lor shorter shutdowns during voperating periods. It is. only vnecessary to place a. simple cover over the open portion above the grid in order to avoid evaporation of the adhesive. solvent and. to. prevent. the introduction of dust or other extraneous materials The grid surfaces remain completely covered. with liquid, and do not become.- caked with dried adhesive.

@ther equivalent` means for changing the liquid level inthe tanky may be used without. departing from my invention.k as, defined in the appended claims..

1., An. applicator for liquid adhesives comprising av stationary container for the liquid adhesive having an uncovered portion co-extensive at least. with the. area over which the adhesive is to be applied a grid in said uncovered, portion having upper adhesive applying surfaces and intervening drainage channels lower thanv said applysurfaces into, which the liquid adhesive may now; and intermittent. liquid level changing means operatively connected with the body of liquid adhesive in said containen whereby the level of the adhesive liquid is alternately raised abovel saidupper adhesive applying surfaces and lowered belowsaid surfaces.

2. An applicator for liquid adhesives comprisa stationary containeriorthe liquidv adhesive having an uncovered portion co-extensive at least. with the area over which the adhesive is to be applied; a grid in said uncovered portion having upper adhesive applying surfaces and interveiling drainage channels lower than said applying surfaces into which the liquid adhesive may flow; and piston and cylinder means operatively connected with the body of liquid adhesive in said container, whereby upon oscillation of said piston in said cylinder the level of the adhesive liquid is alternately raised above said applying surfaces and then lowered below said surfaces.

3. In a machine for applying labels to containers; an applicator for applying liquid adhesive. to individual labels comprising a stationary containerl for the liquid adhesive having an uncovered portion co-extensive at least with the area over lwhich the adhesive is to be applied; a grid. insaid uncovered portion having upper adhesive applying surfaces and intervening drainage channels lower than said applying surfaces into which the liquid adhesive may iiow; and intermittent liquid level changing means operatively connected with the body of said liquid adhesive in said container, whereby the level of the adhesive liquid is alternately raised above. said applying surfaces.l and lowered below said surfaces; and a label picker adapted to place individual labels against said, grid 0i said` applicator duringr the lowering cycle oi said liquid level changing means, and to withdraw said label, with adhesive thereon before the liquid level is raised above said grid.

4. In a machine for applying labels to containers; an applicator for applying liquid adhesive to individual labels comprising a stationary container for the liquid adhesive having an, un covered portion co-extensive at. least lwith the area over which the adhesive is. to be applied; a grid in said uncovered portion having upper adhesiveV applying suriaces. and intervening drainage channelsv lower than said applying sulliaces into which the liquid adhesive may ow; an intermittent liquid level changing means operatively connected with the body of said liquid adhesive in said` container, whereby the levell of the adhesiveliquid, is alternately raised above said applying surfaces and lowered below said sui'.- faces; and` a label picker adaptedto place individual labels against saidgrid of said applicator during the lowering cycle. ci said liquid level changing means, and to withdraw said label with adhesive thereon. before the. liquid level is raised above said grid, said picker comprising a, bleek nso-extensive with the label to be picked up, a plurality of orifices on the lace of said block, manifold mea-iis including a connection to a source. of suction connecting said orifices. and lover connecting means for pressing the label against said grid and removing it with its adheringadhesive for application to a, container.

5., In a. machine for applying; labels to containers, an applicator for applying liquid adhesive to. individual labels comprising a stationary con.- tainer for the liquid adhesive. having an uncovered portion co-extensive atleast with the area over which the adhesive is to be applied; a grid in said uncovered portion having upper adhesive apply.- ing. Surfaces and. intervening drainage channels lower than said applying surfaces into whichl the liquid, adhesive may flow; piston and cylinder means, operatively connected with the body of liquid adhesive; in said container, whereby upon oscillation of said; piston in; said cylinder the level of the. adhesive. liquid is alternately raised above said applying surfaces and then lowered below said surfaces; and alaloel picker adapted to. place individual labels against the grid of said appli- Gator during the lowering cycle of said liquid level by said piston 'and' cylinder means and to with.-

draw said. label with adhesive. thereon before the liquid level is raised above said grid, said picker comprising a block co-extensive with the label to be picked up, a plurality oi orifices on the race of said block, manifold means including conn nection to a source of suction connecting said orieces, and lever connecting means for pressing the label against said grid and removing it with its adhering adhesive for application to a con tainer.

6. In a machine for applying labels to containers, an applicatoi1 for applying liquid adhesive to individual labels comprising a stationary container for the liquid adhesive having an uncovered portion co-eXtensive at least with the area over which the adhesive is to be applied; a grid in said uncovered portion having upper adhesive applying surfaces and intervening drainage channels lower than said applying surfaces into which the liquid adhesive may flow; inea-ns or oscil lating the liquid adhesive to alternately raise and lower its level above and below the top surfaces of said grid; and a label picker adapted to place individual labels against the grid of said applicator during the lower cycle of said liquid level changing means and to withdraw said label with adhesive thereon before the liquid level is raised above said grid, said picker comprising'a flexible suction cup smaller than the label to be picked covered portion co-extensive at least with the area over which the adhesive is to be applied; a stationary grid in said uncovered portion having upper adhesive applying surfaces and intervening drainage channels iower than said applying surfaces into which the liquid adhesive may iiow, said upper surfaces forming a concave area upon which a label is momentarily placed; means for oscillating the liquid adhesive to alternately raise and lower its level above and below the top surfaces of said grid; and a label picker adapted to place individual labels against the grid of said applicator during the lower cycle of said liquid level changing means and to withdraw said label with adhesive thereon before the liquid level is raised above said grid, said picker comprising a flexible suction cup smaller than the label to be picked up attached to a connection body; a connecting body having a flexible tube adapted for connection to a source of suction holding said suction cup; and lever connecting means for pressing the cup and the attached label against said grid and removing said label with its adhering adhesive for application to a container.

JOHN M. BROWN.

CITED The following references are of record in the of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 722,085 McKaig Mar. 3, 1903 743,470 Dix Nov. 10, 1903 794,174 Gordon July 1i, 1905 911,070 Rana Feb. 2, 1909 1,555,846 Hodgkins Oct. 6, 1925 2,289,237 Brown July 7, 1942 

